Sidelined from competition since the start of the 2025 season, Bjorn Stuhre made the most of the final RallyX round in Buxtehude, leaving a strong impression in the Open 2WD category.
The Malmö-based driver clinched victory in Race 1 on the opening day of competition and confirmed his potential with a third-place finish in the season finale — just behind championship front-runners Lucas Gabrielsson and Viktor Johansson.
“We’re absolutely thrilled — what more can I say? The pace was there at Estering, everything worked perfectly. It’s the result of a lot of hard work by the team, plus support from many friends and family members. It feels a bit surreal, but incredibly satisfying,” said Bjorn Stuhre.
This win at Estering carries special significance for the Swedish driver, marking a defining moment in his career.
“It’s my first-ever rallycross victory, so of course it means a lot. Huge thanks to my team back home — they did an amazing job with the car. This is a shared journey, and we take great pleasure in doing it together. That’s what really matters.”
While clearly proud of the result, Stuhre remains cautious about what’s next. Ahead of the RallyX stop in Germany, the Swede had hinted he might walk away from racing to focus on supporting the development of his young son, who currently competes in the Swedish CrossCar Championship.
“Lucas Gabrielsson and Viktor Johansson both told me I absolutely have to return to RallyX next year. Honestly, I was close to stepping away because the car just wasn’t performing the way I wanted. I thought maybe it was time to make room for younger drivers. But now that the Ford Focus is working so well, I’m starting to think there are still some great things left to achieve. Plus, my entire team is pushing me to commit to a full RallyX program — so we’ll see what the future holds.”
Stuhre’s comeback in Germany, however, was no fluke.
“We added some weight to the rear and reworked the rear axle over the winter. That made all the difference — it’s working brilliantly now. The engine is the same one we used in 2023 and 2024. Looking back, I think the rear axle was our real issue last season. Everything’s sorted now, but if we do return to RallyX, a turbo engine wouldn’t hurt. Right now, the turbo cars pull away from us on the straights — that’s where I lose the most time. But on tighter, more technical tracks like Estering, you can see just how competitive our car is.”
“My son had a fantastic season in the Swedish CrossCar Championship, and I truly believe the Junior CrossCar category in RallyX could be the best path for him to keep developing. Whatever happens, we’re going to think long and hard about the future — and make sure to talk it over as a family.”